Back pack carrier system

ABSTRACT

A back pack carrier system adaptable for various loads is made up of a light tubular frame formed with transverse and upright members connected together with detachable plastic connectors and equipped with multiple self-adjusting back web strips to fit the wearer&#39;&#39;s back comfortably. A plurality of weatherproof bags equipped with laterally extending grommeted flaps are adapted to be lashed to the frame in various positions. Rearwardly extending shelf elements selectively mountable on different transverse members of the frame are provided to support the bags as needed. Lashing of the bags and other load components to the frame is facilitated by lash retaining elements in the ends of the transverse and vertical frame members.

United States Patent Romney 51 Mar. 14, 1972 541 BACK PACK CARRIERSYSTEM 3,265,260 8/1966 Romney .Q ..224/25.1 [72] Inventor: Russell H.Romney, 3259 Bon View Drive 1,383,315 7/1921 Lethern ..224/8 Salt Lake yUtah 84109 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS Filed: 1970 932,882 7/1963Great Britain ...224/25.I

[21] Appl. No.: 15,744

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sherrdan Related U.S. Application DataAttorney-Edwin Thmna8 [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 750,521, Aug.6, [57] ABSTRACT 1968, abandoned.

A back pack carrier system adaptable for various loads is [52] US. Cl...224/25 A made "P of a 8 tubular frame formed "amvcrw and [51] Int. Cl...A4513/08 upright members connected together with dcmhablc P [58] Fieldof Search ..224/8,9,25,8.I,25.1,6, connecms and WW with l self-adiuslingback 224/11 12 web strips to fit the wearer's back comfortably. Aplurality of weatherproof bags equipped with laterally extending grom-[56] References (med meted flaps are adapted to be lashed to the framein various positions. Rearwardly extending shelf elements selectivelyUNITED STATES PATENTS mountable on different transverse members of theframe are provided to support the bags as needed. Lashing of the bags3,225,985 12/1965 Romney ..224/25.l and other load components to theframe is facilitated fl 3,219,243 11/ 1965 Mack ..224/25.1 retainingelements in the ends of the transverse and i l 2,925,205 2/1960 Hunt...224/25.l frame members 1,505,661 8/1924 Nelson.... ..224/8 3,282,48311/1966 Babcock ..224/25.1 10 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures 1 l 22 96 I5 2429 /3 1 l v 27 l 90 4 9| 25 l 487 I7 81 it; 4" I I t 61 as li-I 1 l 1 lI I I l I .7 22 ll 1 W 1.11 1 "111 24 in l llm llr t 111., I1 I ll llu l11 l PATENTEDMAR 14 m2 3, 648 907 sum 1 [1F 4 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL H. ROMNEY 17;. 52mm ATTORNEY PAIENTEDMAR 14 1972 SHEET 2 UF 4INVENTOR. RUSSELL H. ROMNEY ATTORNEY PATENTEUMARM I972 3, 648,907

SHEET 3 OF A INVENTOR. RUSSELL H. ROMNEY BY am ATTORNEY BACK PACKCARRIER SYSTEM The present application is a continuation-in-part of myapplication Ser. No. 750,521, filed Aug. 6, 1968, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART In US Pat. Nos. 3,225,985, 3,265,260 and3,490,063, the present inventor has described pack carriers suitable foruse by hikers, hunters and other outdoors men, scouts, soldiers, etc.for carrying various goods and loads on their backs. The carrier framestherein described are made up mainly of tubular upright and transverseelements, suitably secured together by pins and other fastenings. Theyhave desirable features of light weight and adequate strength, but theyhave certain deficiencies, particularly in comfort to the wearer andadaptability to various loads and uses, which the present invention isdesigned to overcome.

U.S. Pat No. 3,265,260 describes a load supporting bracket or shelf inconnection with a pack frame, which is a useful component in the presentinvention. There is a need, however, for various features of versatilityin pack carrying equipment which have not hitherto been available andwhich the present invention is designed to provide.

With increased leisure time available to many people, and with improvedaccess to woods, mountains and other resorts of nature, there has beenin recent years a large increase in camping, fishing, hunting, mountainclimbing, skiing and other outdoor activities. These have led in turn toincreased demands for better camping and hiking equipment, particularlyfor load carrying equipment adapted to be used where self poweredvehicles cannot go. Along with improved pack frames have come lightweight sleeping bags, tentage and other camping gear, and many otheritems that are desirable for use in areas where all equipment must beman carried. Many of these items can be simply strapped onto a frame, inwhich case, the design of the frame and its comfortable carriage by thewearer is a most important consideration. Many other items, however,must be carried in such a way as to protect them from the weather andfrom other sources of damage. While numerous types of bags and the likeare available for the latter purpose, they often are not particularlysuitable or adaptable for carriage on a back pack carrier frame. Theycan, of course, be strapped onto almost any frame by using a sufficientquantity of lashing, but this may be very inconvenient.

Aside from the above, the hiker or camper may have several and diverseobjects on his trip. He may want to hike to a camp or operating basefrom which he may want to take side trips while more lightly loaded. Heneeds carrying equipment that can permit him to deposit part of the loadat the base and to proceed elsewhere with preselected items, withouthaving to unpack and reload before he can go For for this purpose thepresent invention provides multiple bags or containers of weatherproofcharacter, which can be loaded and unloaded independently, and which canbe carried with safety and convenience at various positions on thecarrier frame.

The prior art is familiar with numerous types of pack outfits whichinclude multiple bags and other containers. Most of these, however, arenot conveniently attachable to pack frames and, particularly, are notdesigned for attachment at various heights or positions on a given packframe. While it is possible to attach in some way almost any item toalmost any kind of pack frame, it is obviously desirable to be able todo so with convenience and efficiency. For the comfort of the wearer,pack carrying equipment must be placed as nearly as practicable to hiscenter of gravity or in a vertical line above it. For this reason, thepresent invention is designed to permit placement of the loadsubstantially on or above the shoulders of the wearer or as near theretoas possible to insure his comfort and avoid unnecessary fatigue.

' The equipment of the present system is designed for maximumversatility in packing, comfort in carrying, and convenience in loadingand unloading. The use of simple but effective lashing to hold all partsof the load in place is facilitated, since the-pack frame itself, andthe carrier bag units, are equipped with effective lash retaining orreceiving elements of the utmost simplicity. The equipment of this in'vention includes special loops or pockets for carrying long items, suchas tent poles, fishing rods, etc., with a minimum of interference withthe wearer or with other articles that normally must be carried. Thebags, two or more in number, as desired, which can be referred tocollectively as a Stackpac" can be placed above or below each other, andcan be secured independently to the frame in a minimum of time and withgood security.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view and FIG.2 is a side view of a preferred form of pack frame of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the frame of FIGS. I and 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are respectively side and rear views of a means forholding straps and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the same parts, takensubstantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side and rear views, respectively, of otherconnections such as those for holding a supporting shelf.

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of an end connection for atransverse frame element.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view on a small scale of a lashing connectionfor a bag or package. 7

FIG. 11 is a detail view of an end element on a main side frame element.

FIG. 12 is a detail view of a manner of interconnecting lashing elementsto form a quad-lashing arrangement.

FIG. 13 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line13-13 of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing multiple bag carrying meansattached to a pack frame of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the separation of bag elements as maybe practiced in connection with the invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a single bag or carrier attachedto the pack frame.

FIG. 17 shown another arrangement for carrying a bag on an intermediatepart of the frame.

FIG. 18 shows on enlarged scale themanner of fastening a bag to theframe through grommet and lashing and FIG. 19 is a sectional view of theparts of FIG. 18, taken substantially along the line l919 of FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,the basic pack carrier frame will be described. It consists of sideframe members 11 and 13, usually more or less vertically oriented, andtransverse members I5, 17, I9 and 21. These members are all made oflight tubular metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, or of alloys ofsimilar lightness and strength. The transverse members are smaller indiameter than the vertical side members and are passed through them inopenings provided for the purpose. Pins 22 and 24 are provided to holdthe parts together. Each of the tubular transverse members 15, 17, etc.terminates at each end in a plug element 25 preferably made of hard anddurable plastic material, such as nylon, Delrin or the like. In somecases, wood or other material may be used. Plug 25 is provided with aslot 29 across the head 27 to receive and hold in place a lashing aswill be described further below. The usual lashing is of a well knowntype, preferably a braided rope of nylon, polypropylene or other strongfibrous material. The ends of the cross members 15, 17, etc. project farenough outside the vertical members 11, 13 that they can be used toretain one or more turns of lashing between the side frame members andthe heads 27. See, for example, FIG. 19. The top transverse or crossmember 15 is preferably straight; the others are offset rearwardly inthe middle, as shown in connection with member 17, FIG. 3, at 30, inorder to conform fairly closely to the body of the wearer. Thisfacilitates carrying the load as near the center of gravity of thewearer or as closely to his body as possible.

Side frame members-ll and 13 are bent forwardly and inwardly toward eachother at the top as at 31 and are bent rearwardly and outwardly awayfrom each other at the bottom as at 32 to better conform to the body ofthe average wearer. Also, for still greater versatility, extensionelements 40 may be added at the top to lengthen the side frame members.See FIG. 2. These can be added, for example, to lengthen the frame foran unusually tall person, or for any other purpose. The normal end capor plug 51, which is normally inserted in the upper end of each of theside frame members is retained there by a spring pin 52, which remainsin place by friction. Plug 51 can be taken out by removing this pin andthe extension part 40 can be inserted in its place. The plug or capmember 51 can then be placed in the end of the extension 40 and securedthen by a pin 52. Each cap or plug member 51 has a cross slot 57 toreceive and retain a lashing. Also, a cup or cavity inside each plug 25is large enough to receive a lashing knot. Similar plug or cap members51 are inserted in the bottom ends of the side frame members 11, 13 andretained there by pins 53, similar to pins 52. These have similar lashholding notches or slots 57 as shown also in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17. Theyalso may contain a cavity large enough to receive and hold a knot in alashing.

Intermediate vertical bars or rods 60, 61 are mounted in openings incross members 17 and 19 and their upper ends are inserted in openings inthe lower side of the top transverse member 15. Likewise, their lowerends are inserted into openings in the top side of the bottom member 21.A pivoted shelf member 70, described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.3,265,260, is attached to one of the cross members, such as member 17 inFIGS. 1 and 2. More than one such shelf may be used, as pointed outbelow. The manner in which the vertical rods or bars are attached to thetop cross member 15 will be described in detail in connection with FIGS.4, and 6, below.

Body contacting webs or broad straps are provided in pairs as shown at81, 82 towards the top of FIG. 1 and 83, 84 near the bottom of saidfigure. These are provided with grommets 85 through which a singlelashing 87 for the upper pair and another single lashing 88 for thelower pair are provided. By trying these lashings 87 and 88 with propertension, the weight of the pack and its load bring the pack andparticularly the webs 81, 82, etc. into smooth but firm contact with thebody of the person carrying the pack. Since the single lashing 87 isshared by each of the body webs or straps 81, 82, etc., these straps areself-adjusting to the body of the wearer. At the same time, bystraddling the ends ofa transverse member such as or 17, etc., or 21,the pair of webs, as a unit, cannot shift or migrate up or down the sidemembers 11, 13. This has been a deficiency in prior art webbingarrangements. Also, in the past where such webs have been used, theyhave usually been wider and fewer in number; the webs of the presentinvention are relatively narrow. Consequently, they allow freerevaporation of perspiration than wider belts when carried in hotweather. Because of their greater total number, they distribute the loador pressure against the wearers back much better than most of the priorart arrangements.

Shoulder straps 90 and 91 are attached by means of key ring typefasteners (multiple turn spiral rings of spring metal) 92 which passthrough the lower ends of the straps, preferably through grommets 93,and through openings in the side frame members near their bottom ends.The upper ends of these straps are secured in the manner shown in FIGS.4, 5 and 6 by grommets 94 in the straps through which are passed plastic(nylon, Delrin or other strong elastic plastic material) connectors 95having an upper loop element 96 which surrounds the top cross member 15and bifurcate legs 97, 98 which pass through the grommets 94 and areheld against spreading apart by a retaining ring or ferrule 99. Asuitable pin, such as a cowl pin 100 of well known type, is passedthrough the ferrule 99, through notches between the legs 97 and 98, andthrough an opening in the vertical rod 60 or 61. This fastening thusholds the vertical rods 60, 61 in connection with the transverse member15 but also holds the shoulder straps at their upper ends. Theconnectors are flexible enough that their legs or bifurcations 97, 98can be spread apart far enough that the connector can be placed astrideand over the member 15, or any of the transverse members l7, 19, or 21.When the legs are forced tightly together and retained in such aposition by the ferrule or ring 99, the pin 100 cannot be pulleddownwardly between them by any reasonable force. The connecting means 95per se form no part of the present invention, being claimed in aseparate application filed herewith, Ser. No. 15,785.

Connecting means for holding the shelf member 70 to the cross member 17,to which it is shown pivotally attached in FIG. 1, are of the same typeas just described. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the loop part 101 of such aconnecting member 102 surrounding the cross member 17 with its legsinserted in the tubular element 104 which supports and forms a part ofshelf member 70. Here again the weight of the dependent shelf 70 issupported by a pin, shown of the cowl type at 105, which passes throughthe member 104 and in notches between the legs of member 102. One reasonfor inserting the pin in this manner is that this places the pinparallel with the back of the pack wearer and has no points projectingtowards him or into the load. Another reason is that the assembly anddisassembly of the parts, or removal of the shelf to another crossmember, or from the pack frame completely, is thus facilitated.

FIG. 9 shows in larger scale the manner of fastening the transverse barsto the main uprights 11 or 13. The plastic plug members 25 having anenlarged head 27 and formed of tough strong material such as plasticnylon or Delrin, or the like, all fit neatly in the hollow cross members15, etc., and are pinned in each case to both the cross member andupright by a pin 111. Head 27 is slotted at 29 to receive a lashing Land is set out far enough from the side of the main upright 11 that sucha lashing may be looped around it a time or two to make a securefastening. The knot-receiving opening mentioned above is shown at 112.

FIG. 10 shows a quadline arrangement for securing a bag or package tothe pack frame F. As shown in FIG. 12, two lash lines or small ropes ofthe type mentioned above are fastened together, in a square knot, forexample, so that four lines 116, 117, 118, and 119 can be led off infour different directions. The ends of these lines are each secured tofastenings such as shown in FIG. 9. In some cases they may be secured tothe end plugs or caps 51 in the manner already described. Such a cap isshown in FIG. 11 as secured by a pin 52 to upright member 13 and theknot-receiving opening or cavity 54 is plainly visible. FIG. 13 shows across section Each plug 51 has a shank 55 reduced in diameter enough tofit neatly inside the tubular member 11 or 13 as shown in FIG. 13. Eachplug has also reinforcing internal rib elements 58 at the sides of thecavity 54 to strengthen the side walls so as to give them sufficientstrength to support the load while resting on the ground or whileresting against lateral supports and also to sustain the pull of tightlashings which may be secured to them.

Turning now to FIGS. 14 to 19, inclusive, these show in variousmodifications the Stackpac or bag pack arrangement which constitutes animportant feature of the whole system. The pack frame F is of theconstruction described above; one of its side members 11 is plainlyvisible in FIG. 14; the lower end of the other member 13, is visiblealso. The assembly shown in FIG. 14 comprises an upper bag "1 and alower bag 2. Bag 1 is made of weatherproof textile material, formed withside walls 201, 202, 203, etc., a bottom wall 205 and a cover flap 206.The latter has fastening strings 207 and 208 secured in grommets 209 andthese are adapted to be tied into D-rings 210 in loops 211 sewed to therear wall 202. A pocket 215 is sewed onto the cover flap to carry smallarticles; side pockets 216 and 217 are sewed on side wall 201 in similarfashion and additional pockets not shown may be provided on the oppositewall. In addition, a wide loop or tunnel element 219 is provided alongthe front edge of side wall 201 to receive a long slender article suchas a tent pole, fishing rod or the like indicated at 220. A cooperatingslender pocket with a bottom is shown at 221 on the lower bag 2.Together these loop and pocket elements 219, 221 give full support toarticle 220. By these aligned and cooperating loop and pocket means, alonger slender article can be more stably carried than would be possiblewith a single loop on a single bag.

The upper bag 1 is provided with side flaps on the front edge of eachside wall as shown at 225. The side flaps terminate at the top in aninverted pocket 226, which is adapted to receive the upper end of a mainside frame member 11 or 13. Each flap 225 is provided with a pluralityof grommets 227 through which lashings L may be passed to secure theflaps 225 to pack frame. These grommets are preferably positioned sothat the lashings L may be secured to and around the ends of thetransverse members 15, 17, or 19, etc., or around and to the projectingplug members 25, 27. See FIG. 9. Since the transverse members 15, 17, 19and 21 on the pack frame proper are preferably spaced at equalintervals, or substantially so, the bag "1 can be secured at differentlevels if desired, except that the inverted pockets 226 might not thenfit over the upper ends of the side frame members. It is not alwaysessential, of course, that pocket 226 be engaged with these.

The lower bag "2 is of generally similar construction to bag 1, beingprovided with a side pocket 230, a rear pocket 231 and other pockets notshown, as desired. The pocket 221 for the long slender article 220 hasbeen mentioned above; similar pocket and loop means for another longarticle such as 220 may be provided on the opposite side 203 of the bags1 and "2 if desired. Bag "2 also has frame-engaging side flaps 235equipped with grommets 236 through which the lashings L may be passed tosecure the bag to the pack frame. Preferably, the lashing is merelydoubled, inserted through a grommet and looped over one of the endmembers 25, 27 ofa transverse bar 15, 17, 19, or 21. Then by merelytaking up the slack, e.g., by first tying a knot and inserting the knotin an opening 54in an upper or lower end cap on the side frame member 11or 13, or into a similar opening 112 in one of the plugs 25, the wholeload is quickly secured in place and can be unfastened almost instantly.

FIG. 15 shows an arrangement wherein an upper bag 1 and a lower bag 2are spatially separated. The bags are here seen as having a top flange,as at 240 on bag 2 and bottom flanges 241 on bag 1 and 242 on bag "2.These are equipped with grommets 245 as needed to supplement those inthe side flaps. With the arrangement of FIG. 15, an additional bag, notshown, or some other package or article, may be loaded onto the packframe between the two bags. It will be noted here that the lower bag hasa weatherproof integral or hinged cover 250. Part of this is visible inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16, the larger or upper bag "1 of FIG. 14 has been removed and thelower bag "2 has been moved nearer the top of the pack frame F in itsplace. In FIG. 17, the bag "2 is lashed to the frame F in anintermediate position.

FIGS. 14, 16, and 17 also show a body belt 110 which is secured througha ring 92 to the side members 11 and 13 of the pack frame F. The ends ofsuch belt are shown secured to side frame members 11 and 13, in FIG. 1and the belt 110 is shown with multiple grommets g g and g, in FIG. 2.This belt is found by experience to be extremely useful. It makes itpossible to switch the burden of the load from the shoulders orpartially from the shoulders to the hips and abdomen of the wearer. On along hike, it is very helpful to make such changes from time to time.The belt 110 is secured by the same key ring element 92 alreadymentioned, which also holds the lower ends of the shoulder straps 90,91. For a thin person, the excess length of belt 110 can be cut off ifdesired at the second or third grommet to fit him better. The beltpreferably is fitted at its front ends with a self-securing orselflocking material such as Velcro, a looped nylon material havinginterlocking elements by means of which the belt ends can be instantlysecured together in any desired adjusted position. The Velcro fasteningelements are indicated at V1 and V2 in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Various ways for securing the lashings L are shown in FIGS. 14, 16, 17,18, and 19. In FIGS. 14, 16 and 17, the lashing is secured at the bottomby a knot (not visible) inserted into the openings 54 of bottom cap (orfoot) member 51. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper ends of the lashings arepassed through the notches in upper cap members 51. In FIG. 17, thelashings terminate in knots inserted in the opening 54, as they do atthe bottom. In FIG. 16, they are tied together across the frame as shownat 270, 271. FIGS. 18 and 19 show the looping of the lashing L through agrommet 227 and around the projecting end of a cross member 15 (or 17,etc.) Single or multiple turns may be used as shown at 280 in FIG. 16and at 281 in FIG. 17.

It will be understood that numerous other arrangements are feasible andwill suggest themselves to those who are skilled in the art. Theversatility of this pack equipment in itself will suggest manyvariations in form and arrangement of the various components and theirmanner of assembly and use. A particular variation that deservesemphasis is the possibility of manufacturing the components and sellingthem as a kit for assembly by the buyer. The whole frame assembly maythus be produced. Also, the user may buy separate components atdifferent times, such as a single bag, or extension side members 40,even supplemental cross members, supplemental body webbings, etc., ifdesired. By cutting and furnishing the lashing elements L in standardappropriate lengths, these may be used singly to tie on single bags suchas 1 or "2, for example, or looped or knotted together, may be used inpairs as quadlines, as in FIG. 10, etc., or as tension members 87 forthe body web pairs.

It is intended by the claims which follow to cover the above and otherobvious arrangements and modifications, such as would suggest themselvesto those skilled in the art, as broadly as the state of the prior artproperly permits.

What is claimed is:

1. A pack frame assembly comprising, in combination, a pair of main sidemembers arranged normally in more or less vertical position, pluraltransverse frame members secured to and between said. side members,plural pairs of body web elements secured between said side members withan individual web element above and one below a transverse member, asingle lashing connecting the ends of each individual web element andalso to the other individual web element of a pair to hold said elementsin said positions above and below and also to permit self-adjustment intension of the individual webs with respect to each other thereby toequalize pressure of said web elements on the body of a person carryingthe assembly, and notched lash-retaining elements in the ends ofvertical and transverse frame elements.

2. Combination according to claim 1 wherein the transverse membersextend through and beyond the side members and comprise lash retainingelements.

3. Combination according to claim 1 which includes a body belt and ashoulder strap secured to the lower part of said side members.

4. Combination according to claim 3, wherein the said belt and shoulderstraps are secured through a common fastener.

5. Combination according to claim 5 in which said shoulder straps andsaid body belts are each independently arranged to carry the whole loadand each includes means for independent adjustment and quick release ofthe load.

6. Combination according to claim 1, which comprises a container bagsecured to said side members and adapted to protect articles containedtherein from weather.

7. Combination according to claim 6 wherein said container bag comprisesside flaps, grommets in said flaps through which lashings may be passed,and lashing means through said grommets and secured to at least some ofthe members of said frame to hold said bag secured to the frame.

8. Combination according to claim 1 which comprises a plurality ofcontainer bags secured one above another to said frame. 1

plurality of cooperating containers attached one above another on saidframe, and pocket and loop means in each of said containers aligned andadapted to cooperate in holding a long slender article in uprightposition more stably and securely than it could be held by eithercontainer alone.

1. A pack frame assembly comprising, in combination, a pair of main sidemembers arranged normally in more or less vertical position, pluraltransverse frame members secured to and between said side members,plural pairs of body web elements secured between said side members withan individual web element above and one below a transverse member, asingle lashing connecting the ends of each individual web element andalso to the other individual web element of a pair to hold said elementsin said positions above and below and also to permit self-adjustment intension of the individual webs with respect to each other thereby toequalize pressure of said web elements on the body of a person carryingthe assembly, and notched lash-retaining elements in the ends ofvertical and transverse frame elements.
 2. Combination according toclaim 1 wherein the transverse members extend through and beyond theside members and comprise lash retaining elements.
 3. Combinationaccording to claim 1 which includes a body belt and a shoulder strapsecured to the lower part of said side members.
 4. Combination accordingto claim 3, wherein the said belt and shoulder straps are securedthrough a common fastener.
 5. Combination according to claim 5 in whichsaid shoulder straps and said body belts are each independently arrangedto carry the whole load and each includes means for independentadjustment and quick release of the load.
 6. Combination according toclaim 1, which comprises a container bag secured to said side membersand adapted to protect articles contained therein from weather. 7.Combination according to claim 6 wherein said container bag comprisesside flaps, grommets in said flaps through which lashings may be passed,and lashing means through said grommets and secured to at least some ofthe members of said frame to hold said bag secured to the frame. 8.Combination according to claim 1 which comprises a plurality ofcontainer bags secured one above another to said frame.
 9. Combinationaccording to claim 1 which comprises a plurality of containers eachhaving pockets for small articles secured to said frame and wherein eachof said containers has side flaps and grommets in said side flaps, and acommon lashing element securing said plural containers to said frame.10. Combination according to claim 1 which comprises a plurality ofcooperating containers attached one above another on said frame, andpocket and loop means in each of said containers aligned and adapted tocooperate in holding a long slender article in upright position morestably and securely than it could be held by either container alone.